The Buell's

Psalm 127:3 "Behold children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward." For the past 4 days I have been seriously doubting this verse. World War 3 has broken out at the Buell house. Micah has decided that he doesn't want to swallow his food. We are not sure if it is b/c he would rather play than eat or if he is just not wanting to eat. But he will take a bite of food, chew it, and then not swallow it. This is a battle that lasts 2 hours in the morning with us "training" him to obey. I don't mind that he doesn't want to eat b/c I know after a while he will get hungry. It is simply a battle over him needing to obey us when we ask him to do something.

However, I have to admit that my attitude has been lousy. I have been angry, upset, and thinking that this is not fair that my child would behave so badly!! My husband wisely pointed out one time as Micah sat in his room (with all the toys removed), that this is a lot like how God has to wait for us to obey. He is not in Heaven reacting in sin because we choose to disobey Him. He waits patiently for us to turn from our sin and repent. He has given me so much grace and has waited so often and so long for me to turn from my sin, how can I not wait for my sinful 2 year old to learn how to obey? Proverbs 22: 6 says "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." My responsibility as a parent is to follow God's Word. I am responsible to show Micah how to obey and to lovingly give him consequences when he chooses not to obey.

Today has been day 4 in our battle. I waited 2 hours this morning at breakfast to get him to swallow one bite. However, at lunch it only took 10 minutes!! Does this mean that its over? Probably not. He will probably fight us at dinner. I hope and pray he doesn't, but if he does, I am going to try to react in a joyful manner. I am going to try to be thankful that God has given us these precious children as gifts and respond in joy that I am able to stay home with them and watch them grow. I just pray that they will grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and that I will be a good example to them for Christ. Because children truely are a gift from the Lord. I will choose to rejoice that God has blessed us so much.